State BOE Hears Local Issues From White County Leaders

School funding, teacher licenses and academic standards were among the topics White County leaders discussed with the State Board of Education Tuesday.

The state board stopped by Findlay Elementary School, hosting several discussion panels as it visits school districts across the state. Chair Lillian Hargrove said the board hand picked White County to see the work of the district.

“I’ve had the pleasure to work with Mr. (Kurt) Dronebarger in a couple of different capacities, and I’ve been aware of the great things happening in the district,” Hargrove said. “This was just a perfect opportunity to have a panel with students and hear directly from them the great things that are happening in the classroom.”

Discussion panels were also held with the White County Teacher Advisory Board and all principals. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said having the state board select White County was a big deal for the system.

The state board creates the rules and polices for education laws before implementation as well as state standards. Hargrove said hearing from local educators helps the state board make decisions that benefit school systems.

“When I started serving on the board, I never wanted to be a member that was in a vacuum or in an ivory tower not listening, but being out in the field and hearing first hand from those that are affected from the decisions that we make are critically important,” Hargrove said.